The ISPCA has: 1 Chief Inspector, 1 Superintendent Inspector, 4 Senior Inspectors, 3 Inspectors.
Counties covered by ISPCA Inspectors
Inspector costs
It costs around €50,000 to keep an Inspector on the road for a year, including uniform, vehicle costs, logistical costs (computer/phone), and support (IT, helpdesk etc.).
Inspectors’ Powers
When investigating any animal cruelty complaint, an ISPCA inspector’s priority is to look after the animal’s welfare.
Once the animal is ‘safe’, Inspectors determine whether there is evidence to suggest that an offence has been committed. If so, as authorised officers under the AHWA 2013, ISPCA inspectors can compile and submit a case file in relation to the matter.
Under the Act, ISPCA Inspectors can enter any property (apart from private dwellings) without the owner’s consent, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence is being committed under the AHWA 2013.
Where appropriate, the Act also gives ISPCA Inspectors the power to:
- Use reasonable force to enter a property (other than a private dwelling)
- Use reasonable force to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal.
- Issue Animal Health and Welfare Notices requiring owners to get veterinary care or to improve the way in which they feed and house their animals.
- Failure to comply with an Animal Health and Welfare Notice is an offence and such failure may result in the seizure of any animal referred to in the notice.
- Seize an animal or other property or evidence relating to an offence.
- Request and authorise a veterinary surgeon to humanely euthanise an animal that is suffering so severely that this is the kindest thing to do.
By law, an animal owner must give such assistance or information to an authorised officer as may reasonably be required.
The AHWA 2013 provides more information on the specific powers of the ISPCA’s Inspectorate in Section 38.
Penalties under the AHWA 2013
Where possible, our Inspectors use their communication skills and animal welfare knowledge to teach animal owners to care properly for their animals, or to surrender them. Prosecution is very much the last resort.
- A person convicted of an offence can be fined up to €5,000 on summary conviction or €250,000 on indictment (i.e. in higher court)
- A person convicted of an offence may be imprisoned for up to six months or five years on indictment
- A person convicted of an offence may be banned from owning or caring for an animal for any period, including life.
If you believe an animal is being cruelly treated or neglected, please call 0818 515 515. Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm in the strictest of confidence or report online here
